Dog Park Safety

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Permalink Reply by Bridget on August 31, 2008 at 10:37pm

I find that the best way to help folks follow rules is by being friendly, unless the situation is dangerous.
So, if someone ignores the dump their dog took, I may say, "Do you need a baggie? I've got an extra."
If a dog attacks another dog, and the owner doesn't take care of things, I may say, "Hey, I don't think your dog is having a good time today." or "Your dog seems way overstimulated, how about a time out?" or "I'm really uncomfortable with your dog's behavior today."

I take my dogs to Gabrial Park, and we haven't had a problem all summer.

I would not be comfortable with someone handing out "warning tickets" or acting like the park police. Is that what you're describing?

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Permalink Reply by Laura (Stella & Sam's Mom) on September 1, 2008 at 4:52pm

Hi Alphahood. There have been lots of similar discussions on this site. We have all had off-leash encounters ranging from bizarre to dangerous. Other may have a different opinion, but I take the stance that I can not control anyone but myself. I have walked away from situations at dog parks where I would rather have punched the owner and taken their dog away (and put them in training class).

“Educating” people is frequently telling them what to do, which no one likes. It’s especially sad when dogs end up getting hurt due to questionable owners, but unfortunately, that’s the way it goes…………

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Permalink Reply by Stacey on September 3, 2008 at 1:36pm

I agree with Bridget's approach, though sometimes even that doesn't work. So far I've only had two situations where I had to leave the dog park due to irresponsible dog owners. The worst one was a man who brought his dog in and told everyone near him his dog was aggressive, and to keep our dogs away from him! I didn't want to take the risk of my dog being injured in a fight, so I just left. Many of the other dog owners did too.

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Permalink Reply by Jill and Riley on September 3, 2008 at 8:21pm

I agree with the above responses! Be polite, however, if that doesn't work you can try a more direct approach(while still being polite, just a bit more pushy). We had a problem with a recently rescued dog(they got him the day before he went to the dog park) who was mounting EVERYONE. Though my dog didn't care(he coudn't be more submissive) others did. Most people left, I told the girl(she was younger, with her parents over in the corner chit chatting) that her dog was going to get bit because he was being so rude.

Also, I am fostering/in the process of adopting a pit mix who I would NEVER take to a dog park, we'll go at night when they're empty. I'm not sure what kind of dog you have but I would caution you with the stronger breeds just because if something were to happen and another dog were to start a fight I know my pit would get blamed and taken away just for being a pit. It's sad but true.


Overall, Gabriel Park and Hazeldale have been great, I've also heard really nice things about Hondo!

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Permalink Reply by SugarsMom on September 3, 2008 at 10:27pm

Hello, I'm new here also. I go to Hondo Dog Park and there have been a couple of instances where, like the other poster said, I wanted to take the dog's owner to obedience training. In one case my dog was just a submissive puppy of about 6 months old was being pinned, neck fully exposed and the aggressive dog was going for my dog's throat. The dog's owner just stood there. I said firmly, "call you dog off my dog, NOW!" and he woke up and said something dismissive like "he didn't mean anything by that". Yah, okay whatever. Another time a woman's dog would not let us in the dog park, he was guarding the gate. I asked her to leash her dog, or take him to the play area. Lastly, a family entered the dog park with what looked to be a 3 year old daughter munching on a hamburger. Please! These are the exceptions to the rule. I've found most dog owners to be responsible and to care not only about the welfare of their own pet, but that of other dogs as well.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Andreson on September 22, 2008 at 2:20pm

All good topics! I have an 8 month old puppy and pretty much avoid the dog parks for the reasons you would like to discuss. I am new to Portland and wish some of the off leash areas had more fencing just for safety. The fences don't necessarily have to be chain link maybe a lighter material to keep within the open feel of the park etc. (ie the green mesh fencing that comes in a roll). This is definitely a reason I don't frequent some of the off leash areas.
I hear good and bad things about some of the larger fenced areas so..
Where I used to live the dog parks were for the city residents only, the dogs needed to be licensed in that city to visit the park. It was policed by animal control! I know this sounds maybe a little too rigid but it kind of kept things in line. Maybe there could be a lighter type of this that could work for the Portland area.
I agree for sure on the warning system but that then would require someone to witness or even report an issue to.
Perhaps there could be some kind of incentive in some parks to have taken your dog to training and therefore they are then socialized and perhaps a little more realiable around other dogs.
But then what happens to the dogs that can't join in??? Where will they go and how will they get excercised? Maybe they are then required to go to training/behavior classes.
A tough topic for sure but thanks for the opportunity to mention some ideas.
Keep me posted.
Susan

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Permalink Reply by Laura (Stella & Sam's Mom) on September 22, 2008 at 2:38pm

One of the places I take my dogs is the Banfield Dog Park in NE, on 82nd and Broadway(ish). My dogs just love the fountain in the summertime. One of the things you have to do to become a ‘member’ is your dog has to pass a behavior type test given by professional trainers. It’s about 20 minutes and while basic, should weed out problem dogs, one would think.

In the last month, we have been barked at by two wild Aussies, humped by something large and furry, had toys stolen, etc.

This park is the only I know of where you need one of those magnetic key cards to get in, and it’s no better than any other park.

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Schneider on September 24, 2008 at 8:09am

I often take Ellie to the Pearl Field to play and there have been several incidents that have caught attention. One person was bringing a dog that literally attacked other dogs, they no longer come to the park. There are a few dogs that start to get on Ellie and I am pretty direct about Ellie not liking it at all, and would the owner please get their dog.

If I see a dog pooping and I'm not sure if the owner has a bag, I always offer them one. Sometimes they ask, especially if they know they are being watched.

I also think we need to help people do the right thing by having bags and trash cans available. The behavior issues are tricky and people do get defensive fairly quickly. I've also noticed that in many of these discussions, people report that the owner is not paying attention at the time of the activity. If a dog is acting badly with Ellie, I usually say something as nicely as I can because I can get scared too...

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Permalink Reply by Houseof16paws on September 30, 2008 at 9:37am

I go to Hondo. The last time I was there, Boo was attack. Now I know she is a pitty but a weenie one to be sure. This man thought it was funny that his "Doberman" attacked her...like wow lookee that My dog just took a Pit down.
I finally had to body slam his dog to the ground to get him off Boo. I was meeting up with someone here on PDX Dog and I think I scared her off! lol...
I asked him and so did others to take his dog away...he did not.
I eventually left and haven't really been back since.
I have six dogs and I do make a scene when I get there but once they are in the enclosure they are mindful and stick close to me. I also keep an eye out and will seperate my dogs and clean up after them.
I have been trying to find out of the way places where no one goes and its not really off leash park. Just because I have so many dogs.
I think they are great but people need to be mindful of their dogs droppings and if their dogs attack...leave...period.

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Permalink Reply by Laura (Stella & Sam's Mom) on September 30, 2008 at 6:50pm

Houseof16paws said:

I go to Hondo. The last time I was there, Boo was attack. Now I know she is a pitty but a weenie one to be sure. This man thought it was funny that his "Doberman" attacked her...like wow lookee that My dog just took a Pit down.
I finally had to body slam his dog to the ground to get him off Boo. I was meeting up with someone here on PDX Dog and I think I scared her off! lol...
I asked him and so did others to take his dog away...he did not.
I eventually left and haven't really been back since.
I have six dogs and I do make a scene when I get there but once they are in the enclosure they are mindful and stick close to me. I also keep an eye out and will seperate my dogs and clean up after them.
I have been trying to find out of the way places where no one goes and its not really off leash park. Just because I have so many dogs.
I think they are great but people need to be mindful of their dogs droppings and if their dogs attack...leave...period.

Oh my gosh, how scary. I’m glad everyone is OK.

It may be a drive for you, but you really should take all 16 paws out to the Sandy River Delta / Thousand acres area. It is the one any only place I know of where conflicts are rare. I’m sure it’s because its 1,000 acres so dogs feel very free.

In case you don’t know how to get there….Take the 84 east and slow down once you hit Troutdale. Take the exit just past the bridge (I think the exit says Lewis and Clark). Take a right at the stop sign. Do not curve to the right to re-enter the freeway; instead continue straight onto the dirt road. Follow the road to the parking lot on the left.

There are lots of different trails and lots of folks with dogs to help you.

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